Door knob trim



1967 E. L. SCHLAGE ETAL 3,295,379

DOOR KNOB TRIM Filed Sept. 3, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS EPA/[57' A, sic/#46: fla/wr/K Gem/440w irrae/vn' Jan. 3, 1967 Filed Sept. 3, 1964 E. L. SCHLAGE ETAL 3,295,879

DOOR KNOB TRIM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR5 [as/57 1, 50446! HoiJf K. GeAuMAA A Ma i Z fry-01mm United States Patent Oflice 3,295,879 Patented Jan. 3, 1967 pany, a corporation Filed Sept. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 394,178 Claims. (Cl. 292357) Our invention relates to builders hardware and particularly to lock units and the external trim thereof. In a copending application of Marron Kendrick entitled Unified Trim For Door Lock Units, Serial No. 406,109, filed October 23, 1964, there is disclosed an arrangement for a door lock unit in which the knob has a relatively large external or outer portion and a relatively small inter-mediate portion, as customary, and particularly has a relatively large inner portion extending quite close to the face of the door on which the mechanism is mounted.

Our invention relates to a similar structure, but in which the relatively large inner portion of the unified trim is somewhat spaced from the face of the door.

Our arrangement is a door knob trim bridging the space between the inner rim of the door knob and the door face.

While a unified trim is advantageous construction for a door lock unit, there are instances in which it is expedient to provide a separate trim between the knob and the door face. This is true when a neutral trim can be utilized with any of a largenumber of different finishes, when a particular contrast is desired between the finish of the knob and that of the remainder of the trim, and when the door thickness is unknown in advance, or changes or is unusual so that a gap between the lock unit trim and the door face exists.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a door knob trim in which a selection of finishes, either matching or contrasting, is available.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door knob trim in which many of the advantages of a unified trim are available, but in which the construction of the knob may be somewhat simplified.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door knob trim in which the knob itself may not closely ap proach the door face, yet a finished appearance is afforded for the installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door knob trim for use with door knobs installed on doors of ditferent thickness resulting in a variable space between the terminus of the knob and the door face, the trim affording a closure and appropriate finish for the intervening space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door knob trim that can readily be installed and removed so that in the event of change of decor or of disfigurement the trim can promptly and facilely be replaced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door knob trim effective as an extra support for the door knob particularly against unusual forces.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved door knob trim.

Other objects togetherwith the foregoing are attained in the embodiments of the invention described in the accompanying description and'illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a door knob trim constructed pursuant to the invention, a portion of the figure being broken away to disclose the interior on a vertical, axial plane;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of one form of trim ring illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation of the trim ring shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view comparable to FIGURE 1 and disclosing a modified form of trim ring arrangement in cross section on a vertical axial plane;

FIGURE 5 is a view comparable to FIGURE 4 but showing a further modified form of door knob trim;

FIGURE 6 is a view comparable to FIGURE 4 but showing an additionaly modified form of door knob trim;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing a further modified form of door knob trim;

FIGURE 8 is a view comparable to FIGURE 4 but showing an additional, modified form of door knob trim; and

FIGURE 9 is a view comparable to FIGURE 4 but showing another modified form of door knob trim.

The door knob trim pursuant to the invention can be embodied in the forms shown herein and many additional ways and is generally utilized in connection with a door lock unit 6 mounted in a door 7 having an exposed, generally vertical face 8. The lock unit 6 is suitably mounted by appropriate devices engaging the opposite faces of the door, the arrangement being nearly or entirely symmetrical about the center of the door. The lock unit includes a spindle 9 extending outwardly from the face 8 of the door and rotatable about a horizontal axis 11. The spindle 9 operates Within a hub 12 forming part of the lock unit and extending outwardly from the face 8 of the door along the axis 11.

Pursuant to the invention, there is disposed against the face 8 of the door a bearing plate 13. This has a generally planar configuration and is usually circular in contour and of a diameter to overlap the door 7, thus spanning the opening 14 in the door within which the lock unit 6 is located. To urge the bearing plate 13 against the door, a bushing 16 threadedly engages the hub. One or more openings 17 in the bushing permit the use of a spanner for rotating the bushing on the hub and thus urging the bearing plate 13 against the door face 8. A shoulder 18 is provided on the bushing for this purpose. The bcaring plate can be urged tightly against the door face 8 despite variations in thickness of the particular door on which the mechanism is installed.

Mounted on the spindle 9 in any appropriate fashion is a door knob 21 of any desired contour. The usual knob has a shape defined by surfaces or revolution about the axis 11. The door knob has a relatively large outer portion 22 to be grasped by the hand of a user and a relatively small intermediate portion 23 to receive the thumb and index finger of the user. The knob is partioularly characterized by a relatively large inner portion 24 terminating in a circular cylindrical, free standing rim 26 concentric with the axis 11. The rim 26 may he axially spaced a short distance from the bearing plate 13; This distance may vary from installation to installation and from time to time.

In order to close the space between the edge of the rim 26 and the face 8 of the door and to afford an enclosure for the otherwise exposed inner portions of the lock unit, we provide a trim ring 31. This is conveniently a member of metal or of plastic having some spring and is conveniently formed with a circular cylindrical portion 32 concentric with the axis 11. This portion 32 is utilized for mounting or holding the trim ring on the bearing plate 13.

Preferably the bearing plate is shaped to have a circular edge 33 or flange of a relatively large radius and a groove 34 of relatively small radius. The trim ring at appropriate points around its periphery is contoured to afford indented detents 36 which can be snapped or forced over the edge 33. The operation of the detents is facilitated by spacing them unevenly, as shown in FIGURE 3. The distortions which occur temporarily in the circular cylindrical portion 32 when the trim ring is forced over the edge 33 occur non-symmetrically, resulting in improved operation,

The size of the circular cylindrical portion 32 is such that when the detents 36 are sprung over and lodge behind the edge flange 33, the trim ring substantially abuts the face 8 of the door. The trim ring is also of an extent to lap or extend over the rim 26. This allows variation in axial positioning of the parts but maintains concealment of the interior and radial continuity. The circular cylindrical portion 32 is preferably sharply turned upon itself to afford a curved edge 37 and then extends inwardly and develops into a radially extending inner flange 38 interposed between the rim 26 and the bearing plate 13. Because of the flange 38, the trim ring, although perhaps disengageable from the edge 33, cannot be axially withdrawn and removed without first removing the knob. This prevents pilfering of the trim ring, which otherwise might occur.

Usually there is substantial clearance between the parts, but if an unusual lateral force is imposed on the knob, for example, by a blow intended to force the lock unit, the displacement of the knob against the trim ring affords extra support on the bearing plate.

The trim ring not only spans any variable space between the edge of the knob rim 26 and the door face 8, but affords an opportunity for a selected matching or contrasting finish of the two parts or permits ready replacement of the trim ring in the event the one initially installed should be injured. The trim ring also serves as an auxiliary support for the knob and so increases the resistance of the lock unit to tampering.

In the arrangement disclosed in FIGURE 4, the door 7 and its face 8 are as before and the lock unit, including the bearing plate 13, is similarly installed. The knob 41 is similar in character but has a larger, circular cylindrical inner rim 42 concentric with an axis 43. A substantial space between the knob rim 42 and the bearing plate 13 is spanned by a trim ring 44 circular cylindrical in its configuration and having a plurality of detents 46 unequally spaced. The trim ring allows telescopic motion between the rim 42 and the bearing plate 13 and laps the circular cylindrical rim 42 more or less depending upon the axial position of the parts. The trim ring 44 cannot be removed without first removing the knob 41 and serves, if necessary, as an auxiliary support against unusual transverse forces.

In some instances it is desired to have a large overlap between the opening 14 in the door 7 and the outer edge of the bearing plate. The hub 12 is not changed but a special bearing plate 51 of large diameter is provided. Instead of an outstanding flange such as the edge 33, the bearing plate at appropriate intervals is provided with a number of relatively small holes 52 merging with rela tively large holes 53 each providing an intervening shoulder 54. Stated differently, the holes 52 and 53 provide on the bearing plate portions of relatively large radius and portions of relatively small radius with intervening shoulders, equivalent to the edge 33 and groove 34.

Cooperating with the bearing plate 51 is a trim ring 56 having a number of peripheral, springy fingers 57 shaped to afford detents 58 therein.

Before the installation of a knob, the trim ring 56 is installed on the bearing plate by introducing the fingers 57 into the holes 52 and 53 so that each detent 58 snaps over the adjacent shoulder 54. The trim ring is thus held in position with the outer edge 59 of the trim ring in abutment with the face 8 of the door. Then a knob 61 is mounted concentric with the hub 12. An inner circular cylindrical rim 62 on the knob telescopes with a similar circular cylindrical portion 63 on the trimring. In this instance, since the diameter of the bearing plate is large, the trim ring has a conical configuration 64 in effect continuing the configuration 66 of the knob. This affords a smooth appearance in any relative axial position of the knob and the trim ring.

In FIGURE 6 the trim ring 71 does not abut the door face 8 with an edge relationship. Rather, the trim ring has a relatively large flange 72 lying principally in a radial or normal plane and affording a large bearing abutment with the door face 8 and also has a portion overlying the circular cylindrical rim 73 of the knob 74.

In FIGURE 7, the arrangement utilizes a bearing plate 13 having the flange edge 33. A trim ring 81 has a radial flange 82 from which a number of axial fingers 83 are struck. A detent 84 is provided in each of the fingers. Upon installation of the trim ring, the axial fingers spring over the bearing plate flange edge 33 and the detents 84 lodge behind the edge 33. The periphery of the trim ring 81 is held in close abutment with the face 8 of the door. Part of the trim ring laps the rim 86 of the knob 87, but the lap is on the outside rather than on the inside, as in FIGURE 4. Axial variation is allowed and extraordinary lateral forces are transmitted to the bearing plate.

In FIGURE 8, a bearing plate 13 with a peripheral flange edge 33 is utilized. A trim ring 91 has a radially inwardly extending flange 32 interposed between the circular cylindrical rim 93 of a door knob 94 and the bearing plate 13. The trim ring is in effect folded upon itself to provide a pair of circular cylindrical portions, the outer portion merging with a radially extending flange 96 abutting the face 8 of the door. At appropriate intervals, displaced portions of the trim ring afford detents 97 interengaging with the edge 33 of the bearing plate.

In some instances, a trim ring 101 similar to the one shown in FIGURE 4 is formed with an outstanding flange 102 designed to rest against the face 8 of the door. The flange 102 precludes any contact between the rim 103 of the knob 104 and the door face in the event the knob should translate toward the right in FIGURE 9. In the absence of the flange 102, the edge of the rim 103 might rnar the door. The edge of the rim and the out-turned flange 102 form a thrust bearing and limit axial movement of the knob 104.

In many instances, particularly those illustrated in FIG- URES 6, 8 and 9, the exposed portions of the trim ring can be left plain or can be provided with a decorative surface by chasing, coining, embossing or other treatment. Also, the flange portions, such as 72, 96 and 102 can be reduced or enlarged to any selected size or shape to give a pleasing appearance What is claimed is:

1. A door knob trim in combination with a lock unit adapted to be mounted on a door having a face, said lock unit including a bearing plate, means for holding said bearing plate in stationary abutment with said door face and normal to a central axis perpendicular to said door face, said lock unit also including a knob independent of and movable axially with respect to said bearing plate and having a hand grip portion of a predetermined diameter and having a circular cylindrical free standing rim of substantially said diameter connected to said hand grip portion and adapted to rotate about said axis with said rim close to but spaced from said bearing plate, said door knob trim comprising a trim ring having a circular cylindrical portion of approximately said predetermined diameter, and means interengaged between said trim ring and said bearing plate for supporting said trim ring on said bearing plate with said circular cylindrical portion of said trim ring in substantial abutment with said door face and lapping said circular cylindrical rim. in any axial position f s id im.

2. A device as in claim 1 in which said trim ring includes a radially extending flange interposed between said bearing plate and said free standing rim of said knob.

3. A device as in claim 1 in which said means interengaged between said trim ring and said bearing plate includes a radially extending wall portion of said bearing plate and a radially offset resilient portion of said trim ring.

4. A device as in claim 1 in which at least a portion of said trim ring between said bearing plate and said knob rim is of lesser diameter than said knob rim.

5. A device as in claim 1 in which said bearing plate is circular and has a radially outstanding edge and said trim ring has resilient detents adapted to snap over said 1 edge, said detents being out of diametrical alignment.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 90,209 5/1869 Waterman et al 292 35 7 2,052,053 8/1936 Menges 292357 2,104,403 1/1938 Roethel 292-356 X 2,655,398 10/1953 Birbaum 292r-356 2,728,597 12/1955 Young 292357 X 2,759,754 8/1956 Kaiser 292357 X 2,779,184 1/1957 Ellis 292-357 X 3,065,014 11/1962 Russell 292356 3,099,472 7/1963 Kelsen 292357 3,116,775 1/1964 Russell 292357 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner. RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner, 

1. A DOOR KNOB TRIM IN COMBINATION WITH A LOCK UNIT ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON A DOOR HAVING A FACE, SAID LOCK UNIT INCLUDING A BEARING PLATE, MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID BEARING PLATE IN STATIONARY ABUTMENT WITH SAID DOOR FACE AND NORMAL TO A CENTRAL AXIS PERPENDICULAR TO SAID DOOR FACE, SAID LOCK UNIT ALSO INCLUDING A KNOB INDEPENDENT OF AND MOVABLE AXIALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID BEARING PLATE AND HAVING A HAND GRIP PORTION OF A PREDETERMINED DIAMETER AND HAVING A CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL FREE STANDING RIM OF SUBSTANTIALLY SAID DIAMETER CONNECTED TO SAID HAND GRIP PORTION AND ADAPTED TO ROTATE ABOUT SAID AXIS WITH SAID RIM CLOSE TO BUT SPACED FROM SAID BEARING PLATE, SAID DOOR KNOB TRIM COMPRISING A TRIM RING HAVING A CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL PORTION OF APPROXIMATELY SAID PREDETERMINED DIAMETER, AND MEANS INTERENGAGED BETWEEN SAID TRIM RING AND SAID BEARING PLATE FOR SUPPORTING SAID TRIM RING ON SAID BEARING PLATE WITH SAID CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL PORTION OF SAID TRIM RING IN SUBSTANTIAL ABUTMENT WITH SAID DOOR FACE AND LAPPING SAID CIRCULAR CYLINDRICAL RIM IN ANY AXIAL POSITION OF SAID RIM. 